Thursday, August 8, 2013

(Merlins Nose) I’ve never heard of the neo-folk/psyche label
Merlins Nose (from Germany) but the array of sounds they laid upon my ear
provided as trippy a trip as I’ve taken in (ye olde middle) ages. By far the
highlight are the 1971 recordings by duo Amber, who utilize tabla and sitar to
make their mellow psyche folk soar around the world. Somehow their calming
precious folk music actually grooves…this is to be heard. Elsewhere…If the
hypnotic weirdo drones and buzzes if Arrowwood were not created by
tree-dwelling wood faeries than I’ll be a wood nymph’s uncle! To call In Gowan
Ring “neo-folk,” or “phreak pholk” acknowledges the trancelike psychedelic
effect of this music, but disrespects how traditionally, beautifully,
meticulously this is actual folk
music, and B’ee is an ancient minstrel spreading stories across the briar! I
give B’ee an “A!” Jahrtal impressively creates ambient exotica that combines a
blissful opium haze around a virtual Martin Denny, virtually stationed in
Tokyo. And as far as the remaining group: Paths of PraCrappy!